text:
Privacy watchdogs are demanding answers from Apple Inc. about why iPhones and iPads are secretly collecting location data on users ? records that cellular service providers routinely keep but require a court order to disgorge.
It’s not clear if other smartphones and tablet computers are logging such information on their users. And this week’s revelation that the Apple devices do wasn’t even new ? some security experts began warning about the issue a year ago.
But the worry prompted by a report from researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden at a technology conference in Santa Clara raises questions about how much privacy you implicitly surrender by carrying around a smartphone. It also raises the issue of smartphone makers’ responsibility to protect sensitive data that flows through their devices.
Much of the concern about the iPhone and iPad tracking stems from the fact the computers are logging users’ physical coordinates without users knowing it ? and that that information is then stored in an unencrypted form that would be easy for a hacker or a suspicious spouse or a law enforcement officer to find without a warrant.
Researchers emphasize that there’s no evidence that Apple itself has access to this data. The data apparently stays on the device itself, and computers the data is backed up to. Apple didn’t respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press.
Tracking is a normal part of owning a cellphone. What’s done with that data, though, is where the controversy lies.
A central question in this controversy is whether a smartphone should act merely as a conduit of location data to service providers and approved applications ? or as a more active participant by storing the data itself, to make location-based applications run more smoothly or help better target mobile ads or any number of other uses.
Location data is some of the most valuable information a mobile phone can provide, since it can tell advertisers not only where someone’s been, but also where they might be going ? and what they might be inclined to buy when they get there.
Allan and Warden said the location coordinates and time stamps in the Apple devices aren’t always exact, but appear in a file that typically contains about a year’s worth of data that when taken together provide a detailed view of users’ travels.
“We’re not sure why Apple is gathering this data, but it’s clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations,” they wrote in a blog posting announcing the research.
Allan said in an email to the AP that he and Warden haven’t looked at how other smartphones behave in this regard, but added there’s suspicion that phones that run Google Inc.’s Android software might behave in a similar way and is being investigated.
Google did not respond to a request for comment.
Alex Levinson, a security expert, said the tracking Apple’s devices do isn’t new ? or a surprise to those in the computer forensics community.
The Apple devices have been retaining the information for some time, but it was kept in a different form until the release of the iOS 4 operating software last year, Levinson, technical lead for the Katana Forensics firm, wrote on his blog.
Through his work with law enforcement agencies, Levinson said he was able to access the location data in older iPhones and warned about the issue over a year ago. The location data is now easier to find because of a change in the way iPhone applications access the data, he said.
“Either way, it is not secret, malicious, or hidden,” Levinson wrote. “Users still have to approve location access to any application and have the ability to instantly turn off location services to applications inside the settings menu on their device.”
The existence of the location-data file on the phone is alarming because it’s unencrypted, the researchers said, which means that anyone with access to the device can see it.
Charlie Miller, a prominent iPhone hacker, said a security change that Apple made last month would make extracting the file from the phone in a remote attack very difficult. Even if an attacker were to break into someone’s phone looking for the file, he wouldn’t have the right privileges to access the file.
The data is “pretty well-protected on the phone,” Miller, principal security analyst with Independent Security Evaluators, said in an interview.
“On the phone, they take a lot of precautions.” He said. “It’s sort of frightening in the sense that it’s there, and it’s full of information about where you’ve been, but the good news is it’s not easy to get to.”
But it’s a different matter when the data is transferred to another computer in a backup. If the backup computer is infected with malicious software, the file could easily be located and sent to the hacker. A way to protect against that is to encrypt the iPhone backup through iTunes, the researchers said.
The issue has prompted several members of Congress to write letters to Apple, based in Cupertino, to answer questions about the practice.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said it raises “serious privacy concerns,” especially for children using the devices, since “anyone who gains access to this single file could likely determine the location of a user’s home, the businesses he frequents, the doctors he visits, the schools his children attend, and the trips he has taken ? over the past months or even a year.”
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., questioned whether the practice may be illegal under a federal law governing the use of location information for commercial purposes, if consumers weren’t properly informed.
“Apple needs to safeguard the personal location information of its users to ensure that an iPhone doesn’t become an iTrack,” he said in a statement. “Collecting, storing and disclosing a consumer’s location for commercial purposes without their express permission is unacceptable and would violate current law.”
Apple shares rose $8.29, or 2.4 percent, to $350.70 Thursday on the strength of the company’s latest quarterly financial results, which showed Apple’s net income nearly doubled, in large part on strength of iPhone sales.
Source: The Associated Press.


text:
How Apple's $399 iPhone may give it an edge
LOS ANGELES — Apple's new iPhone SE is the lowest-priced iPhone ever.
That cheaper price tag is no accident.
“This is a symbolic threshold,” says Frank Gillette, an analyst with Forrester Research. “Apple going below $400 is big.”
The SE is expected to do well in India and China, where having a lower-priced iPhone gives Apple an edge it didn't have before.
The new device, announced Monday, is basically an iPhone 6S in a smaller, 4-inch body, and is a 38% discount to the current 4.7-inch iPhone 6S, which starts at $650.
Jefferson Wang, an analyst with research firm IBB Consulting, says that overseas competitors like Huawei and Lenovo regularly under-cut Apple’s prices, even at the $400 level.
The new iPhone gets Apple “back in the game with price-conscious shoppers that don’t mind paying a little more for the Apple brand, even if it means sacrificing on screen size.”
Indeed, folks looking for the best bargain-priced phones here will find plenty with lower prices and better specs than the new iPhone SE.
--Motorola’s Moto X Pure Edition ($399) has a 5.7 inch screen, 21 megapixel camera and microSD slot for extra memory.
--Google’s Nexus 5X ($349) has a 5.2 inch screen, 12.3 megapixel camera and 64-bit Snapdragon processor.
--Huawei GX8 ($299) has a 5.5 inch screen, 13 MP camera and 64-bit processor.
--Alcatel’s Idol 3 ($249) sports a 5.5 inch screen, 13 MP camera and stereo speakers.
The SE starts at $399 with a 4-inch screen, 16 GB of memory, a 12 megapixel camera and A9 processing chip. The previous edition, the iPhone 5S, started at $450, with an A7 processing chip and 8 megapixel camera.
Still, the iPhone is still the best-selling phone in the United States and the device many customers hunger for.
“Some people stretch, and justify spending more, because they want the status of having an Apple product and the Apple experience,” Forrester's Gillette notes.
Apple is virtually alone in offering the smaller 4-inch phone models to consumers; the competition has been making larger, 5-inch and up phones for years. This was originally a way for competitors to differentiate from the iPhone, says Gillette.
Apple held onto the 4-inch iPhone until 2014 when it introduced the iPhone 6. It didn’t abandon the smaller form factor because many of its users liked having the option of small (the old iPhone 5S), medium (4.7 inch iPhone 6S) and large (5.5 inch iPhone 6S Plus.)
If the SE takes off, “you might see competitors returning to small screens,” says Gillette.
But a word of caution to consumers looking to upgrade to a smaller iPhone at the lower price: with just 16 GB of memory, the SE doesn’t have enough memory “to make it worth it,” notes Gillette.
Add a few apps, take a bunch of photos using Apple’s Live Photos (a merging of stills and video that makes the file twice as large) and shoot some video at 4K resolution, which again produces larger video files, and you’ll be out of room in no time.
Add in the extra memory on the SE, for 64GB, and the price jumps to $499. That's getting close to the more expensive, bigger phones. The older iPhone 6, first released in 2015, is $649 with 64 GB, and the newer 64GB iPhone 6S is $749.
Follow USA TODAY tech columnist and #TalkingTech host Jefferson Graham on Twitter, @jeffersongraham

domain: news


text:
8 sustainable packaging innovations for food and beverages
From upcycled barley straw cartons to paper soda bottles, manufacturers are testing a range of options to minimize their ecological footprints. Here are some of the most novel approaches.
Sustainability may seem like a buzzword in the food industry today. But as consumers demand more environmentally friendly practices from companies and brands, there has been a rush of pledges and action around cutting carbon emissions throughout the supply chain, supporting regenerative farming and tackling food waste.
One of the biggest opportunities for action has opened up around packaging. From recyclable to compostable options, brands are developing innovative ways to wrap their goods that not only ensure freshness, convenience and food safety but also minimize their ecological footprint.
In the months leading up to Earth Day 2021, several companies have announced new and novel approaches to sustainable packaging, including beer cartons made of upcycled barley straw and molded pulp rings for soda cans.
This past year, Boxed Water swapped out the plastic caps on its packaged water with one made from pine tree waste. This update made the entire packaging 92% recyclable. And just this past week, Lamb Weston’s Alexia brand announced new packaging for its Organic Sweet Potato Fries and Yukon Select Puffs made from corn and potato starches — byproducts from making French fries. The packaging, which was two years in the making and will launch this month, will eliminate the equivalent of 252 trash bags from landfills and 14 barrels of oil each year, according to the company.
JOIN OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Remain an expert and save time ? Take few seconds to complete the registration form. Click here !


text:
Toyota has been teasing the next generation Supra for over half a decade and today the Japanese manufacturer unveiled the first look at what the final edition will look like with the Gazoo Racing Supra Racing Concept. While this edition sports race ready features like a front splitter, side skirts, huge rear diffuser, and carbon fiber wing, it’s safe to assume that the final road version will look very similar to this version sans those parts.
Additionally, the interior echoes the fact that this is a race car with only one bucket seat, a full roll cage, carbon fiber instrument panel and quick release steering wheel. Further inspection of the livery should bring your eye to the number “90,” which is boldly placed on the doors as a reference to the Supra’s codename. While specs and technical numbers have yet to be released, Toyota has revealed that the car will feature a front engine/rear-wheel-drive configuration.
“Yes, the Supra is returning,” confirmed Johan Van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe. “The best way of taking our ‘Supra Hero’ into a new era. It has been made light, compact and, of course, fast. This concept is a clear signal of our intention to bring back one of our most legendary sports cars to the market.”
With the road version of the next generation Toyota Supra set for arrival in 2019, it will finally join the Nissan Skyline and Acura NSX in the modern age where the Japanese “Holy Trinity” can once again inspire a new generation. What are your thoughts on this Gazoo Racing Concept? Toyota has also recently announced its $2.8 billion USD investment into developing self-driving cars.


text:
Smashing NCAP result for Corsa and S-max...
30 August 2006
NCAP Corsa resulted in the full five stars
Vauxhall's new Corsa and the new Ford S-max have become the latest cars to grab a maximum five-star occupant safety
rating in Euro NCAP tests. The two big fleet favourites also fared well in NCAP's other tests
The Ford achieved four out of five for child occupant rating and two from four for pedestrian protection. Meanwhile the Corsa was awarded three for both child occupant and pedestrian protection.
But NCAP caused a fuss after prematurely slamming Seat for removing the Leon's seatbelt reminder. A Seat spokesman said the company hasn't yet taken a decision, and all cars currently leaving the factory have the reminder fitted.


text:
“Lives are on the line,” President Biden said after the Supreme Court held New York state’s restrictive gun-permit regime unconstitutional last week. Gov. Kathy Hochul warned: “This could place millions of New Yorkers in harm’s way.” Brazil’s experience suggests otherwise.
In 2018, the year before Jair Bolsonaro became president, Brazil had one of the highest homicide rates among developed countries: 27.8 per 100,000 people, compared with 5 per 100,000 in the U.S. Mr. Bolsonaro’s solution: “Give guns to good people. Let people have guns so that they have the chance to defend themselves.”
GoPro Student Discount: 20% off all cameras and accessories
30% off smartphones + free shipping - Samsung promo code
Save up to 30% + free shipping with Dell coupons
HP student discount - up to 35% Off
Save 20% off + additional $5 off using Newegg Coupon
TigerDirect coupon code - 10% off first order


text:
Lithium electrolyte provider South 8 Technologies has raised US$12 million in Series A financing to commercialise its liquefied gas electrolyte technology.
South 8 claims its electrolytes offer a unique approach to address shortcomings in more prevalent electrolytes on the market today. The technology uses solvents that are normally gaseous at room temperature and under standard pressures but can be liquefied to be used as an electrolyte.
Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis
- Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
- In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
- Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
- Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual
Or continue reading this article for free
This, South 8 says, poses benefits for batteries, including increased safety through a reduced risk of thermal runaway, an enhanced degree of material compatibility among cell components and cheaper costs.
Cyrus Rustomji, CEO at South 8 Technologies, said the company’s approach offered a “more practical alternative technology to stakeholders”, commenting that existing battery technology companies were currently “placing big bets on a relatively narrow set of potential breakthrough innovations”.
Companies participating in the funding round included LG Technology Ventures and Shell Ventures, investment vehicles operated by tech company LG and oil and gas major Shell respectively, as well as technology venture fund Foothill Ventures and Japanese industrial gas company Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation.
Shell’s new investment in South 8 follows a “strategic investment” of an undisclosed amount the company made in August 2020. Other energy storage firms to have received backing from Shell Ventures include platform provider AutoGrid and thermal storage start-up Antora Energy.
Robert McIntyre, managing director at LG Technology Ventures, added: “South 8’s technology can power new market applications by solving traditional challenges around safety, manufacturability and more that has limited battery technologies for decades.”
South 8 is a spin out of the University of California San Diego, launched in 2016 after its founding team developed its patented technology at the university. It is founded by Cyrus Rustomji, who now serves as the company’s chief executive officer, and current chief technology officer Jungwoo Lee.


text:
By Gary Gerald Mtombeni Zimbabwe’s businesses have been urged to suspend post-paid credit facilities that they bill in local currency, or start charging in United States dollars, if they are to avoid incurring losses in the current hyper-inflationary environment.
Zimbabwe is experiencing hyperinflation, with the prices of goods and services increasing by 256.9% between July 2022 and July last year, according to the national statistical agency (Zimstat), putting immense pressure on consumers and businesses, and on the economy at large.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) president Mike Kamungeremu said the resurgence of inflationary pressures necessitates that businesses reduce their exposure on credit sales and focus on cash sales.
“Given the rapid depreciation of our local currency which we witnessed over the past months, it is very difficult for businesses to offer any services or products on credit because all the value will be eroded by inflation,” he said.
“A number of our members are still compelled to offer post-paid services and products due to contracts that were entered into when the operating environment was stable, and in most of those cases, they end up going back to request top-up payments from customers to recover lost value.
“Where this option is not available, they have been forced to live with the losses or even elect to have the contracts cancelled citing impossibility of performance,” he said.
To hedge against inflation, several state-owned enterprises such as Zesa Holdings, Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and local councils have started pegging their rates to the US$.
In July, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe gave Zesa exchange control approval to bill exporters and partial exporters in foreign currency, as part of broad measures to enhance the utility’s operational capacity.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Kamungeremu noted that most companies were now signing new contracts that require post payment in US$, with the payments being done at the prevailing official rate.
“The issue of the official rate lagging behind is however another issue that also then leads to loss-making on these contracts, particularly where businesses incur costs that are pegged at the parallel market rate to service these contracts,” he added.
Economist Victor Bhoroma concurred with the ZNCC boss and added that the government should allow businesses to charge their products and services in US$ for the companies to remain operational and preserve shareholder value and avoid job losses.
“The best strategy for companies that provide post-paid services, or any business in particular, is to change their business models and ensure that they get a significant portion of their income in hard currency to hedge against exchange-related losses,” he said.
Bhoroma noted that some companies that were offering post-paid services, including fixed network service provider TelOne, were now migrating to prepaid services.
Another economist Vince Musewe indicated that it was now meaningless for companies to continue offering credit services under the current operating environment.
“Currently, inflation causes price instability and makes it difficult for businesses to plan ahead or recover their costs.
“Typically, salaries suffer most, leading to job losses and high unemployment levels. Business should therefore be allowed to charge in US dollars,” he said.
The latest development comes at a time when companies in the telecommunications sector – including NetOne, Econet Wireless and Telecel – are struggling to maintain post-paid services due to the twin challenges of a fast-depreciating domestic currency and rising inflation.


text:
Could a new 2199 Yuan Xiaomi phone running MIUI V6 be on the cards for this year’s annual Xiaomi festival?
The above (rather dubious looking) banner was reportedly spotted in Beijing and claims that a new Xiaomi device will be unveiled on 2nd April. The only details mention on the banner are the, higher than usual, 2199 Yuan price, MIUI V6 and an outline design of a new Xiaomi Android phone with narrow bezels all round.
Gizchina News of the week
Xiaomi are generally quite good at keeping their new phones secret and are also known for keeping the prices of their flagship phones unchanged at each new launch, so the details seem a little fishy to us. What do you guy’s think of these purported leaks?[ Source ]


text:
In a time when, sadly, most of the news about businesses is bad, here’s a story to make you smile.
The Aurora City Council voted at its last meeting to give the lion’s share of a recent economic development grant the community received right back to its citizens — in a way that would also help the town’s struggling stores, restaurants and other small businesses.
It’s called “Aurora Bucks.” The $25 vouchers are good at dozens of the town’s small businesses and were mailed to approximately 400 households with their water bills last month.
“The money came from a grant to help our community economy,” Mayor Brian Asher said in a community newsletter explaining the program. “A big thanks to the City Council.”
The vouchers are good until the end of the year, and must be used all at once (no change given). They can be redeemed at a wide variety of businesses, from dining and drinks (including Filbert’s Farmhouse Kitchen, Aurora Colony Pub and the new Chug Coffee), antique stores (like Aurora Depot, Aurora Mills and Main Street Mercantile) — and even essential services: dentistry, health care, groceries, flooring and the Shell gas station.
Aurora City Councilor Mercedes Rhoden-Feely told The Canby Current that the funds for the program came from Marion County.
“With Covid-19 and the impact on the local economy and families, and the cancellation of Colony Days, the council decided that this was a great way to put these funds in the hands of our Aurora families and local businesses,” she said. “It’s a fun project that inspires pride in our community while fostering economic growth.”
If all 400 or so vouchers are redeemed, the cost of the program would come to about $10,000, Rhoden-Feely estimated.
Help us build a sustainable news organization to serve Canby for generations to come! Let us know if you can support our efforts to expand our operations and keep all of our content paywall-free. #SwimWithTheCurrent!


text:
As lighting controls become more digitalized and the Internet of Things takes off, the need for defining standardizing the interface of sensors and connectivity modules with lighting has become a widely known issue in the lighting industry. Two organizations, Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DiiA) and the Zhaga Consortium (Zhaga) are creating technology and devising standards for this area.
The Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DiiA) is an open, global consortium of lighting companies that intend to grow the market for lighting-control solutions utilizing the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) technology.
Zhaga, is a global association of lighting companies that standardizes interfaces of LED luminaire components, such as LED modules, LED light engines, LED arrays, holders, electronic control gear (LED drivers) and connectivity fit systems.
DiiA recently reported that it is “developing specifications for an optimized DALI interface inside luminaires, which will simplify the connection of luminaires to IoT networks.” At about the same time, the Zhaga Consortium reported that it “has finalized a new specification (Book 18) that helps to bring the Internet of Things (IoT) to outdoor LED lighting fixtures.”
Zhaga also indicated in the news release that the newly released Book 18 standard supports the merging of IoT and lighting technologies and helps futureproof the technology.
DiiA Devising Lighting Data Exchange Standard and Standard for Connecting Luminaire to InBuilt Communication Nodes
DiiA noted in its news release that it is standardizing the way in which DALI drivers can exchange diagnostic and measurement data in a well-defined format, and DiiA also pointed out that such a data model standard is essential for DALI products to participate in the IoT sector. Additionally, DiiA plans to devise interchangeable technology that simplifies the connection of luminaires to the IoT through inbuilt communication nodes.
The organizations have now signed a liaison agreement to share technical information about available and soon-to-be-released specifications and certification programs, and the timelines of these. According to the organizations, the first step will be aligning the DALI-based communication protocol with the Zhaga Book 18 specification.
“Both organizations understand the market needs and have decided to sign a liaison agreement,” said Ruud van Bokhorst, General Manager of DiiA, adding, “This liaison allows us to make the correct decisions on the best way forward in addressing this important market need.”
Giovanni Scilla, Chair of the Zhaga Steering Committee, commented, “By means of this liaison we aim to explore possibilities to define truly comprehensive specifications and certification programs, which will be the base for broad adoption of digitalization in lighting and increased speed to market.”


text:
Wooga, the Berlin-based social gaming startup, may well look quite different in a year’s time. In recent years the company has climbed up the social games leader poll with a number of highly successful games on Facebook. But it’s recent experiments in iOS have given it pause for thought. Does Wooga’s future lie on smartphones and tablets? It’s about to find out.
The company has this week announced it will develop two new mobile titles, including its first on Google’s Android platform. Now, Diamond Dash for Android and Monster World for iPhone and iPad – its farming game – will be crucial to Wooga’s future direction. Both are expected to be released this Autumn. Monster World has garnered over 45 million players in the last two years.
A year ago it launched its successful Facebook game, Diamond Dash, on iOS, and now has half of its 200+ team working on mobile titles and the other half on native Flash titles for Facebook.
Wooga says they found that Diamond Dash mobile players who connected with friends via Facebook were eight times more likely to spend money and much more engaged than users who play without logging in.
Thus, by having the game available on more than one platform, you get more interaction. In March, 64% of Diamond Dash players logged in with Facebook.
“We believe phones and tablets are social and so we are making the games fully social there. Diamond Dash can be played across many devices, but we are seeing a huge shift to mobile,” says co-Founder and CEO Jens Begemann.
So far, over 70 million people have played Diamond Dash since it was first released on Facebook in March 2011, with 20 million of those players downloading the game on the iPhone and iPad. With the game now on Android, we can expect those figures to grow significantly.
Another incentive to develop for Android is that revenue per user is higher on Wooga’s mobile games than on Facebook, Begemann says.
Prior to this move, Wooga had launched games on Google+ and HTML5, but it’s pulled its games from Google+ and canceled its HTML5 game Magic Land Island and released it as open source code. Begemann HTML5 games are not ready for the mass market.
“We’re talking about social games here and to be social you needs critical mass, so doing that across devices you increase the likelihood that this will work,” he told me via phone.
As far as the company is concerned Begemann says there are no plans for further fund raising right now.
They did a Series B raise of $24m, a year ago but are “now very happy growing the company, by at least 2 employees a week. These 200 employees are all in Berlin, but we have over 30 nations amongst employees,” he says.


text:
Vietnam Gas Association has announced a decrease in price of domestic cooking gas cylinders by VND46,000 on a 12 kilogram cylinder from April 1.
Accordingly, gas companies will sell a 12 kilogram cooking gas cylinder for VND405,000 to VND410,000.
At present global cooking gas prices have decreased US$160 per tonne compared to the beginning of March, as gas demand in many countries has decreased, said a representative of Vietnam Gas Association.
Nguyen Sy Thang, chairman of Vietnam Gas Association said that gas companies have to announce their sale price in the beginning of April and ensure that prices do not change until the end of the month.
At a time when cooking gas prices are skyrocketing, the tax cut can partially cool down the market, as well as assist both suppliers and consumers. The association will call on its members to apply the reduced retail price.
Besides the tax cut, the Price Management Agency under the Ministry of Finance also released a directive asking cooking gas suppliers to cut prices and order their dealers and retailers to adjust prices accordingly.
In related news, Tran The Dung, deputy director of The He Tre Tourist Company, said that Vietnam Airlines has decided to coordinate with tourist companies to launch a promotional programme to run until December 2012.
Accordingly, air tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Phu Quoc will decrease by 40 per cent.
Vietnam Airlines is offering return tickets from HCMC to Hanoi and Hai Phong for VND3 million; HCMC to Da Nang for VND1.9 million; HCMC to Phu Quoc for VND1.6 million.
However, the discount fares will not be available during peak rush periods, such as April 30, May 1 and September 2.
On the same day, Vissan Company announced a decrease in pork products from April 1-15.


text:
More than 60% of shoppers have lost trust in Tesco as a direct result of the scandal over the £263m black hole in its finances, according to an exclusive Harris poll for The Grocer.
And in a further blow to the retailer, the survey, which grilled 1,000 shoppers on how trust in the retailer had been affected, found Tesco shoppers have been turning to rivals since the news broke.
Of the more than 300 respondents who said they did the majority of their shopping at Tesco over the past year, 13% said they had been taking some of their business elsewhere. However less than 1% claimed to have stopped shopping at Tesco altogether.
The scandal has also sparked suspicion over Tesco’s pricing strategy, with a further 13% of Tesco shoppers claiming they had been scrutinising prices at the retailer and comparing them against rivals more than before in order not to get “ripped off”.
Among all shoppers, the survey found more than 60% claimed they had less trust in Tesco and what it stood for. Nearly 13% said they were “much less likely” to shop at Tesco as a result of the scandal.
However, many blamed management for the crisis and said they still had faith in staff on the front line. Asked what best described their opinion of the accounting issues, most (42%) said poor leadership.
The survey also found more than 70% were aware of Tesco’s profit overstatement and 54% were aware of the financial issues.
“This survey demonstrates the huge awareness of the accounting issue and it’s something Tesco needs like a hole in the head,” said Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital. “Regaining trust is vital but it’s interesting that it appears the public realises this is an issue caused by the previous management rather than the staff stacking shelves or on the checkout.”
Lucia Juliano, head of consumer and retail research at Harris Interactive UK, said: “With half of consumers admitting their opinion of Tesco is now worse than previously, Tesco has a huge challenge on its hands to address this and start to win back the emotional trust and confidence of its shoppers. This will not be easy to achieve during a period when every player in the grocery retail market is upping its game and stealing share.”
Kantar Retail analyst Bryan Roberts said the fresh blow to trust in Tesco’s brand had come at the worst possible time. “There had already been something of a toxic aura after Horsegate and some customer experiences in store, and they can’t afford any customers to do their voting with their feet.”
However, Roberts added that the accounting scandal was not the real issue that needed to be cleaned up. “Ultimately it will be other things that make the difference for Tesco. If they get the store offer and their pricing strategy right, I can’t see a housewife from Rotherham taking her shopping bags elsewhere because of an accounting issue,” Roberts said.
And Dave McCarthy, an analyst at HSBC, said Tesco would actually be “relieved” by the survey. “It tells us that the accounting issues have not caused a further deterioration in trading. Most customers are aware of the problems but it has not led to any increase in customers switching to other stores,” he said.
“Tesco was losing market share anyway and there has been no acceleration in that loss since the scandal came to light. Customers are aware of ‘bad (previous) management’ but still trust the staff in-store.
“But it is a reflection of how the big four have let the consumer down in that over a quarter of the population think the large supermarkets are as bad as each other,” McCarthy added.
Bruno Monteyne, analyst at Bernstein Research, added that Tesco was still fixable: “The previous management team hadn’t been there long enough to do permanent damage to the Tesco DNA. Consumers still know what Tesco once used to stand for. In my opinion, it is easier to go back to your brand roots than it is to re-invent yourself. If Tesco does the right things (cost cutting to fund big price cuts), people will quickly recognise the formidable retailer it once was and give it full credit for that,” he said.
Juliano added: “Tesco should take solace in the fact that shoppers still have trust in their store staff and see the financial problems as being driven ‘by the top’. This means that local and store lead initiatives should still have strong cut-through with shoppers - it could be something that Tesco want to dial up in the coming months to build back customer loyalty.”
Last week, Tesco announced it was to provide new training for all its staff on responsible trading in the wake of the scandal. The supermarket giant published plans for a revamped Code of Business Conduct, which it said would “sit at the heart of the business.”
How shoppers reacted to the accounting issues at Tesco
- Switched supermarket completely 1%
- Shopped less at Tesco 13%
- Started checking prices more carefully 13%
Shoppers said they were…
- Much less likely to shop there 12%
- Somewhat less likely 16%
- The same 69%
- Somewhat more likely 1%
- Much more likely 1%
Impact on trust in Tesco
- Much less trust 25%
- Slightly less trust 36%
- The same trust 37%
- Slightly more trust 1%
- Much more trust 1%
Aware of Tesco in the news
- Yes 79.5%
- No 20.5%
Why has Tesco been Tesco in the news
- Overstating profits 72.33%
- Accounting issues 54.59%
Opinion of Tesco
- Slightly worse 30.2%
- Much worse 18.8%
- The same 44.6%


text:
Colt Temporarily Closes Down Factory to Protest Gun Control Laws at Connecticut Capitol
by Outdoor Hub Reporters on March 18, 2013
submitted by: Daniel Xu
Colt Manufacturing Co. has operated in Connecticut for 175 years, and remains one of the nation’s most venerable gun makers. However, a package of gun control bills may threaten the company’s future in the state, along with the livelihoods of its employees. According to the Associated Press, Colt president Dennis Veilleux made the decision last Thursday to shut down the Colt factory for a day so roughly 600 workers can make their voices heard at a public hearing in the state Capitol. There, they waved signs with messages such as “save our jobs.”
“These are the faces of the jobs at Colt,” Veilleux told the Associated Press. “Each of these people represents other people in the state. They represent the community and, in a lot of cases, they’re the breadwinners of their families. And more and more, manufacturing jobs are hard to come by.”
Along with Colt employees, representatives of the National Rifle Association and other gun owners groups also testified at the hearing. The Capitol building was crowded by both supporters and opponents of the gun control bills, which many feel could have a negative effect on state industry.
“You have an industry that’s going to be pretty much shut down, not only the gun manufacturers but all of our vendors and suppliers also. It would be quite a trickle down affect,” a protestor told WTNH.
While the bills would not necessarily prohibit companies like Colt from producing firearms, it would ban state residents from purchasing many of the products the company produces. Vielleux says he is aware of customer opinion towards states with heavy gun control laws, like New York, and believes that Connecticut could be worse off for it. As for Colt, he predicts that the company could take a hit to its coffers.
“If we ban this product in the state where we make it, our customers will take their business to another brand,” Vielleux stated. “When we start to get erosion of our customers, we lose our market share.”


text:
In a bid to capitalise on the EU-based TEN-T network, the world’s second largest shipping line MSC has opted to purchase a 45% stake in the Trieste marine terminal, according to the Journal of Commerce.
This follows news that the carrier is working on an expansion for its Viau Container Terminal at the Port of Montreal, which is taking place to boost TEU capacity at the terminal.
Swiss-based MSC’s Italian holding company, Marinvest, is to purchase the stake from Trieste terminal owner TO Delta group for around US$22.8 million.
MSC’s decision to follow through with the stake sale is anticipated to strengthen its position in the TEN-T network, as the port of Trieste is situated in such a way that it is based in a key part of the TEN-T’s transportation corridors.
MSC plans to use this investment to purchase 10 container ships, which will all be over 10,000 TEU and will be leased to MSC on delivery.


text:
With all the furore surrounding the launch of the Samsung Galaxy SIII it’s easy to forget that there are plenty of other phones in the Galaxy range and they are not all aimed at high end users that require copious amounts of processing power and the ultimate in today’s technology.
One such handset is the new Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 which has today has had it’s launch date confirmed for 4th June 2012.
The Galaxy Mini 2 is squarely aimed at the first time smartphone user, Simon Stanford, Vice President UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung said: “We’ve had a good response to the Galaxy Mini since it launched last year, particularly among the ‘first smartphone generation.’ Smartphone growth is continuing at pace this year, and not just at the premium end of the market. Handsets such as the Galaxy Mini 2 are needed to meet the growing demand for more affordable devices for customers on the lookout for their first smartphone.”
With a 3.27″ HVGA touch-screen, 4gb onboard storage and a 1300mAh battery the Galaxy Mini 2 measures in at just 11.9mm deep and comes with a vibrant coloured casing.
| HSDPA 7.2Mbps 900/2100|
|3.27” HVGA(320×480) TFT|
|Main(Rear): 3 Megapixel Fixed Focus Camera|
|Codec: MPEG4, H.263, H.264|
|Codec: MP3, Vorbis(OGG), AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB/WB, WAV, MIDI,|
Music Player with SoundAlive
3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS
|Samsung TouchWiz/ Samsung L!ve Panel UX|
|Samsung Kies / Samsung Kies air|
– Integrated Messaging(Email, SNS), Contacts, Calendar Sync
|Music Hub (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)|
|Samsung ChatON mobile communication service|
|GoogleTM Mobile Services|
– Android Market™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Search™, Google Maps™,
Syncing with Google Calendar™
|ThinkFree (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)|
|Bluetooth® technology v 3.0|
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA
|Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, NFC (optional)|
|4GB User memory + 512MB (RAM)|
microSD (up to 32GB)
|109.4 x 58.6 x 11.9 mm, 106.8 g (NFC)|
109.4 x 58.6 x 11.6 mm, 105.3 g (Non-NFC)
|Standard battery, Li-ion 1,300 mAh|
The Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 will be available on both the T-Mobile and Orange networks.


text:
In Canada, if you were one of the first companies to be granted a license from Health Canada, you would have benefited from the rising demand of legal cannabis and you would probably be worth more than $1 billion.
Having the ability to being prepared is a key trait of any successful person or business so we are not surprised by the massive increase in the number of companies competing for an Israeli cannabis license. Having an early mover advantage is extremely significant and this is especially true when it comes to the cannabis industry.
Earlier this year, the Israeli government approved the export of cannabis raw materials, such as oils and tablets. Regulators are currently drafting specific rules and regulations that will guide the implementation of the legislation. Many experts believe that these new regulations could come into effect in the fourth quarter of 2019 and this would significantly benefit the companies that are levered to this market. This development came shortly after the Israeli Parliament passed the 16th amendment to Dangerous Drugs Ordinance that concerns the governance and regulatory aspects of exporting medical cannabis from Israel.
When you actually analyze the cannabis export opportunity in Israel, the numbers are very impressive. Early estimates from leading cannabis experts suggest that the Israeli export market could be more than $1 billion per year. This represent a huge growth opportunity and we believe that the country’s plan to issue a limited number of licenses will be a major catalyst for the companies that have leverage to this emerging cannabis market.
During the last year, Isracann Biosciences has been working tirelessly in order to be granted an Israeli cannabis license and gain an early mover advantage on a cannabis market with very attractive economics. When it comes to analyzing companies, you want to look into the amount of revenue generates as well as the cost to generate that revenue.
When it comes to cultivating cannabis, water and power are the two most significant expenses. Israel has the optimal climate for cultivating premium cannabis and this is probably the most attractive aspect of this market. When you look at the economics associated with cultivating cannabis in Canada, you will see that it costs approx. $1.50 to $2.00 (on average) to produce each gram of cannabis. In Israel, producers are able to grow cannabis for approx. $0.40 per gram and this is significant for a business that aims to be profitable.
Highly Focused on the European Cannabis Market
Isracann has been working on further strengthen its balance sheet through a private placement, having fully funded the buildout of 232,900 sq. ft. of cultivation facilities that can produce approx. 23,500 kilograms of premium cannabis on an annual basis. One of the most important aspects of Isracann pertains to its facility and how it will allow them to capitalize on the international cannabis market. The company’s facility is planned to be an IMC-GAP/GSP certified facility that has been constructed to meet all regulatory standards and we find this to be significant.
Management expects these facilities to be completed by the end of the year with an initial production capacity of 11,500 kilograms per year. In the long-term, the management team plans to double production capacity to 23,500 kilograms per year. We believe that the hybrid greenhouse model has several advantages over indoor purpose-built facilities (i.e. precise environmental controls and containment) and we are favorable on this aspect of the story.
Although the domestic cannabis opportunity is significant, the company’s long-term goal is to become a leading supplier to European markets and we believe that this is the right approach. We are favorable on this strategy as the European Union’s population is greater than that of the US and Canada combined. When compared to the market in North America, cannabis in Europe tends to command a higher price and we find this to be significant. Over the next year, we expect to see the company report several significant developments and are favorable on the management team’s strategy when it comes to targeting specific markets.
An Opportunity with Significant and Visible Catalysts
In Q1 2020, Isracann expects to complete its first harvest and plans to ramp up its production levels from there. The facility offers the company significant room to expand and we are favorable on this. We expect to see increasing demand for Israeli cannabis products and the focus on increasing production capacity is important for the company’s growth potential
During the last year, Isracann has significantly advanced its fundamental story and this is an opportunity that we are watching. With a massive cultivation footprint and a four-pronged business plan, Isracann could begin generating revenue in early 2020. We are going to monitor how the team continues to execute on its expansion and will monitor how it further positions itself to capitalize on the European opportunity.
Isracann is uniquely positioned to become a leader in Israel’s emerging cannabis industry. The country’s long-term potential to be a leader in R&D and a well-positioned exporter to Europe makes this a company to watch. Over the next year we expect to see Isracann secure several major export cannabis products to the European Union and we have been highly favorable on the German market.
Isracann is raising additional capital to further expand its position in Israel and is one of the few companies to have legitimate leverage to the Israeli market. To learn more about the Isracann, please reach out to firstname.lastname@example.org.
Pursuant to an agreement between StoneBridge Partners LLC and Atlas Blockchain Group (AKE) on behalf of Isracann Biosciences we have been hired for a period of 180 days beginning December 9, 2018 and ending July 9, 2019 to publicly disseminate information about (AKE) including on the Website and other media including Facebook and Twitter. We are being paid $10,000 per month (AKE) for or were paid “ZERO” shares of unrestricted or restricted common shares. We own zero shares of (AKE), which we purchased in the open market. We plan to sell the “ZERO” shares of (AKE) that we hold during the time the Website and/or Facebook and Twitter Information recommends that investors or visitors to the website purchase without further notice to you. We may buy or sell additional shares of (AKE) in the open market at any time, including before, during or after the Website and Information, provide public dissemination of favorable Information.


text:
It’s almost a truism: WhatsApp is one of those applications that has managed to become one of our essentials on a daily basis. It is rare that it is not consulted at least once.
Although the vast majority of its 2,000 million users do it many times more. In fact, the app is aware of this and, from time to time, motivates them with new functions and advances that continue to improve the experience of speaking through it.
It is difficult to imagine a phone without it, things as they are. But, soon, some iPhones will stop supporting WhatsApp. We must not lose sight of the fact that, over the years, certain phones become obsolete, which leads app developers not to update them for those specific terminals.
Except, yes, they install a new version of the latest operating system that is compatible with it.
In order to install the new WhatsApp update 2.21.50, it is an essential requirement that the devices have the operating system iOS 10 and later. This has been confirmed by the company on its website.
This change particularly affects the iPhone 4s and earlier since its terminals only allow to have a maximum of iOS 9.3.6.
As of iPhone 5 and later, it would only be necessary to update the application to continue using the messaging application.
“Keep in mind that, if you received a message that is not compatible with your version of WhatsApp, you will have to update the application,” explains the company, which recommends always using its latest version.
Rachel Maga is a technology journalist currently working at Globe Live Media agency. She has been in the Technology Journalism field for over 5 years now. Her life’s biggest milestone is the inside tour of Tesla Industries, which was gifted to her by the legend Elon Musk himself.


text:
The SNP has today pledged to support the continued growth of the computer games industry after five ‘exceptional’ years for the industry.
The number of computer games companies operating in Scotland has increased from 15 in 2010 to 100 in 2015, with 95 of those businesses registered in Scotland – an increase of over 600% in five years.
Between 2010 and 2013, the last year for which figures are available, turnover increased from £38.1m to £67.6m.
Scottish computer games companies include Rock Star North, producers of the Grand Theft Auto series, and 4J Studios, involved in the production of Minecraft.
Previous SNP action to support the industry includes:
Successfully lobbied the UK Government to introduce tax incentives for the computer games industry
Funding 40 post-graduate places for a new masters programme in Computer Games Development at the University of Abertay Skillset Media Academy
Financial support for Scotland’s first digital skills academy CodeClan
Commenting, SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick said:
“Computer games are a massive success story for Scotland and the growth since 2010, both in terms of established companies and in turnover, has been exceptional.
“This is an industry that drives exports and makes a huge cultural and economic contribution to Scottish life.
“The SNP want to ensure that this sector continues to grow as a key part of Scotland’s creative industries.”


text:
The Department of Economic Development has secured a number of long-term commercial contracts for the Manx Grand Prix Festival.
The Department created the newly branded festival in 2010 to develop the commercial rights for the Manx Grand Prix Races and supporting events. The revised festival now also features the Classic Trial, the Two Day Trial and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s rally and meeting at Jurby that attracted over 12,000 visitors in 2010.
The contract for the Official MGP Festival programme has been awarded to Mannin Media following a tender process. Mannin Media has produced the TT Races programme for the last four years. The company’s plans include fascinating behind the scenes features, MGP facts and analysis as well as race guide and spectator information.
Steve Brown, Managing Director, Mannin Media commented:
“The Manx Grand Prix Festival has a passionate group of followers and we are looking forward to the challenge of creating a high quality programme that engages and interests them. The programme will be a real source of information for fans that will encompass and bring together the whole festival fortnight.”
Motorsport Merchandise, who already operates as the official supplier of TT merchandise, has joined the MGPF commercial portfolio as event sponsors and licensee for official MGPF merchandise.
They will develop a range of clothing and memorabilia for the Manx Grand Prix Festival, featuring the official logo that was created in 2010, including a wide range of T-shirt designs as well as jackets, fleeces and shirts. Manx Grand Prix Festival fans will also be able to buy Motorsport Merchandise’s extensive collection of Manx Grand Prix Festival caps.
As an official event sponsor Motorsport Merchandise will also receive a branding package across all areas of the event as well as the naming rights to the 350cc and 250cc Classic GP Races.
Roy Wilson, Managing Director, Motorsport Merchandise, commented:
“We are really pleased to be on board and will use our extensive experience of producing great quality merchandise for the TT to offer Manx Grand Prix festival fans a range that they are happy to wear.”
Other agreements secured include Mylchreest Motors, who have a multi-year deal to be the official car partner and Official Motorcycle Partner Yamaha, who will provide bikes for the Travelling Marshals in their 50th year of racing on the Isle of Man.
Morton’s Media are the official event media partner and will run a series of editorial features and advertising promoting the revised event in their range of classic titles that includes Classic Racer, Classic Dirt Bike, Classic Bike Guide and The Classic Motorcycle. The Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club also receives official sponsor status and a package of benefits around the event in recognition of the financial contribution that it makes.
All of the sponsors receive a package of high profile benefits including trackside advertising, on-line advertising on the official mpgfestival.com website, race title sponsorship, programme ads and the right to use the official Manx Grand Prix Festival logo in their marketing collateral.
The Department of Economic Development’s Motorsport Team is also talking to a number of other blue chip companies about becoming sponsors in the event and more announcements will be made ahead of the event in September 2011.
Hon Allan Bell, MHK, Minister for Department of Economic Development, Isle of Man Government, commented:
“We are really pleased to welcome all of the partners on board to help us to deliver the commercial objectives that we have set for the development of the Manx Grand Prix Festival. These partnerships are the first evidence of our long-term strategy to develop the Manx Grand Prix Festival to generate more commercial income and more visitors for the benefit of the Island’s economy. It is particularly pleasing to see so many local companies playing such important roles.”


text:
As promised earlier this week, Marvel has released the first trailer for the upcoming episodic Telltale Game, Guardians of the Galaxy.
The Guardians of the Galaxy humor is present, while the art style notable takes many cues from the MCU movies. It is important to note, however, that the Telltale series will be completely unrelated to the comics and the movies.
Episode one will release on April 18, which is just a few weeks away! Stay tuned for more news and some reviews as the game starts rolling out.


text:
Great to see FinTech in Asia also taking off!...you could argue that the comparison portal growth took place 10 years ago in Europe with Check24, Compare the market, etc. Would be interesting to see if CompareAsia is Generation 2.0 or whether this shows that a whole wave of copying FinTech out of US/Europe should be rolled out in Asia?
CompareAsiaGroup, which runs websites that help users find financial services, has raised a $40 million series A led by the Goldman Sachs Investment Partners team. Other investors include Nova Founders Capital (a venture firm that is also one of CompareAsiaGroup’s founders), Jardine Pacific, Ace & Company, Route 66 Ventures, Zynga-founder Mark Pincus, and Owen Van Natta, who has held senior positions at Facebook and MySpace. CompareAsiaGroup’s total raised to date is now about $45 million, including an earlier seed round. CompareAsiaGroup currently operates sites in eight Asian countries (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) . It makes money by partnering with some companies (it currently works with 60 brands, including HSBC, Citibank, and Standard Chartered) and charging them if a user signs up for their services through its sites.


text:
Last month it was reported that Yahoo was in talks to buy a controlling share in Dailymotion, making it the first expensive acquisition under current CEO Marissa Mayer. This popular video website is said to be worth around $300 million and Yahoo was rumored to be interested in purchasing a 75% share, with an option to completely acquire it in the future. It currently has a minority share in the website. Both Yahoo and Dailymotion had refrained from commenting on this deal, though according to a new report, the deal’s off because the French government is opposed to it.
France has a minority share in France Telecom-Orange which owns this website. Apparently the French Minister of Industrial Renewal is opposed to the idea of a U.S. technology giant taking up such a big share in Dailymotion. French Telecom is reportedly still looking for a partner based in America who will be very helpful in establishing a strong user base for Dailymotion in the country. Only a few days ago Yahoo unveiled its Saturday Night Live deal, which brings some of the best comedy routines and skits. The company has certainly been fighting the perception that hasn’t been too innovative lately. Its hard to believe that, particularly when Yahoo is working so hard to get itself back on track.
Filed in Yahoo.. Read more about


text:
Sweet & sour winter salad
Use organically grown whenever possible.
1 cup shredded carrot
½ cup shredded sweet potato
½ cup sliced celery
½ cup raisins
½ cup walnuts
½ cup minced red onion
1 tbs. tomato paste
1 tsp. grated ginger
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2tbs. maple syrup
½ tsp. salt
Put red onion is a small bowl with salt and vinegar. Let rest. Add tomato paste, ginger and maple syrup. Whisk.
Pour dressing over vegetables, stir and let marinate for five minutes.
50 people displaced following apartment building fire
Rollover crash kills Ossipee woman in Moultonborough Saturday
Christmas Eve storm will bring very heavy rain, damaging winds
Police wrap up investigation at Londonderry home of woman shot in Maine
Chunky's in Nashua reacts to Sony's decision not to release "The Interview"


text:
Books aren't dead
The number of books in print in 2008 rose 38 percent from the year before (which itself was up 38 percent from 2006).
"Where are all those books coming from? Both mainstream and self-publishers have contributed to the flood. But the real answer lies in university libraries, which are suddenly hawking publishing rights to the contents of their stacks - or at least what's out of print or in the public domain. Latest example: The University of Michigan (partnering with Google for the digitization and with an Amazon offshoot called BookSurge for printing) plans to offer more than 400,000 titles for sale on demand. Cornell plans to do the same with 500,000 titles, and the University of Pennsylvania plans to add another 200,000. Publishing's obituary may be, much like Mark Twain's, premature." - Malcolm Jones
What do you think? Are books dead?


text:
Dell’s global vice president of personal computing Sam Burd revealed the weak sales figures for the XPS 10 and Latitude 10 – which run Windows RT and Windows 8 respectively – but said corporate customers could help improve numbers going forward.
"I think that's pretty exciting when we look at the ramp [in purchasing] that we expect from corporate customers,” Burd told UK newspaper The Guardian.
“Businesses are slow to adopt a new operating system. But tablets really need Windows 8 to sell well. Still, it is encouraging to see some businesses deploying Windows 8 and tablets. It's going to take some time, and the jury is still out.
“Maybe in a few years when we get to Windows 8 tablets being a third or 40% of tablet volume we can feel it's happening. Tablets are definitely an important piece of the computing business."
Through corporate deployments and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scheme, tablet penetration in enterprise has increased steadily over time. Good Technology’s most recent report claimed that one in four devices is now a tablet, with Android slowly edging closer to Apple’s iPad.


text:
Are companies more concerned about Brexit or US-China trade tariffs? Here’s what the data says.
Uncertainty over the economic repercussions of Brexit and the US-China trade war has many companies scrambling to figure out how to adapt — and how best to reassure their shareholders.
Using CB Insights’ earnings calls analysis tool, we looked into the data behind what is top-of-mind for leading executives.
Brexit chatter tracks major events
Discussion of Brexit on earnings calls skyrocketed after the UK’s vote to leave the European Union in June 2016 — but mentions had already substantially subsided by the next quarter. This trajectory continued over the next two years, until beginning to rise as the initial EU exit deadline of March 31, 2019 loomed.
This uneven cycle in mentions is likely due in part to a broad continuation of the status quo in trade relations between the EU and the UK, even as political exit negotiations took place in the background. Companies knew change was coming, but weren’t sure exactly what that change would be.
The companies that mention Brexit the most on earnings calls come from sectors including finance, auto, and travel — reflecting three key UK industries with close ties to the European market.
“I was in London […] trying to understand what Brexit means. I’m still not much smarter.”— Oliver Schmidt, Head of Investor Relations, Allianz
Trade with China is a sustained topic on earnings calls
Talk of China tariffs overtook Brexit in Q2’18 — just as the announcements of hefty tariffs were escalating — and has continued on an upward trend ever since. Since then, the only quarter when Brexit was a bigger feature of earnings calls was Q2’19, in the run-up to the original deadline for Britain to leave.
Businesses have had to respond to a regular stream of new tariff announcements since the US-China trade war, contested between the world’s two biggest economies, began in earnest. This fast-moving series of events, along with their near-immediate economic consequences, may have kept trade with China top-of-mind for many companies.
The businesses mentioning China tariffs the most represent industries such as shipping, energy, and agriculture.
“Tariffs imposed on Chinese imports resulted in an adverse impact of approximately 5% on gross profits.”– Richard Mushrush, CFO, Telkonet
“There’s still a little bit unknown about what — how this China thing is going to play out. And that’s a big important market for us and that’s probably what makes me a little more anxious.”– Bob Swan, CEO, Intel
Expect discussion of Brexit to spike again when the extended deadline for leaving the EU by the end of October edges closer. Though many view leaving without a deal as unlikely, the UK’s government has said it is actively preparing for such a scenario.
Businesses may especially take note if the UK exits in a “no deal” scenario — where the country leaves the EU without alternative trade arrangements in place — as this would have an overnight effect on many of Europe’s supply chains and cross-border trading costs.
“Brexit remains unresolved with skewed risk to the downside. And trade tensions between the US and China are progressively impacting the growth outlook for both markets.” – Ewen Stevenson, CFO, HSBC
China tariffs will likely remain a common fixture on earnings calls as long as the trade war continues unabated. However, if the US and China run out of quick ways to apply economic pressure, discussion may subside, as companies bake the costs into their earnings projections and move on to other worries — like, say, a sustained market downturn.If you aren’t already a client, sign up for a free trial to learn more about our platform.


text:
The word drone didn’t always have the negative connotation it has been saddled with through frequent news coverage of U.S. military bombing using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). There are many benign uses of drone technology, and these are pretty far removed from what you see on the news. Many hobbyists and some commercial photographers are using small camera-carrying drones for fun or to make money.
One group of enthusiasts seeks to change how people view drones. According to the Drone User Group Netowork (DUGN) website, the organization “seeks to foster interest in the use of civilian unmanned aerial technology and demonstrate its positive potential for humanity.”
The DUGN is giving this idea more than lip service. They recently announced the Drone Social Impact Award, which will give $5,000 to someone who can document the most socially beneficial use of a drone for under $3,000. The limit on the project cost is intended to make it competitive for individuals and small groups. If you are interested, check out their website for more info.
Timothy Reuter, founder of the DUGN says, “We are living in a golden age of maker aviation. This prize is designed to encourage all the people who have been creating amazing drone designs in their basements, makerspaces, and Techshops to try and apply their UAVs to solving some of the world’s toughest challenges.”
During the recent Drones & Aerial Robotics Conference (DARC), Timothy led a discussion about why there isn’t more diversity in many of the community groups focused on drone and robot technologies. Andra Keay, one of the panelists, suggested that some people are much more interested in what can be done with technology, while others are more comfortable focusing on the technology itself. These people don’t always effectively communicate with each other.
“We are hoping that this prize will provide an opportunity for communities that might not normally interact to find new ways to work together,” says Timothy.
The DUGN has over 1,500 members in ten associated regional groups, making it perhaps the world’s largest collection of civilian drone operators. One of those groups is Timothy’s own DC Area Drone User Group (DC DUG), which put together this video of some of its members discussing civilian drone technology. The conversation about personal use of drone technology is building steam. What do you think? Watch the video and let us know in the comments.


text:
In a bid to tap India’s growing small car market, Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Company is looking to come up with 3 to 4 compact cars in the sub Rs 5 lakh category in the market in the next 3 to 5 years. It is to be noted that Nissan sells its hatchback Micra in India. Of late auto makers in the country have been witnessing decline in sales because of increased price in fuel prices and high interest rate.
Because of abysmal conditions of Indian roads, compact cars are being preferred over large cars. Several compact cars have tasted success in the Indian market, thereby increasing the importance of compact cars in the manufacturer’s portfolio. By 2013-14, Nissan may come up with a compact car on K2 platform which may be priced at Rs 3-4 lakh. Soon after this, the company also plans to launch another cheaper small car which will be priced at Rs 2-3 lakh. The car will be designed by Defiance, the engineering arm of Hinduja Group.


text:
We don’t really need another excuse to eat pizza, but we’ll take it! The folks behind La Poutine Week in Canada just announced another nationwide contest called La Pizza Week. But let’s be real here- the real winners are the pizza lovers in this country. Here’s the rundown.
Like La Poutine Week, this installment is looking to showcase amazing pizza creations from coast to coast. And while strictly pizza places are sure to join in, we’re also excited to see what left-field names decide to sign up. After all, we’ve got dozens of options if we’re craving a regular old cheese pizza.
Here’s what to know about this month’s National Takeout Day in Canada
Shambhala Music Festival cancelled for the second year in a row
View this post on Instagram
Currently, the organizers are calling for submissions from around the country throughout April. So, if you’re already buddies with a resident pizzaiolo, maybe let them know about it. Little free press (from people like us), a couple of laughs, and an excuse to try something different and be recognized for it! That sounds like a good setup to us.
And of course, we’ll let you know who’s joining in once their participants are announced. In the meanwhile, get ready for a pizza extravaganza this May!
Read more in Food & Drink
Starbucks is kicking off summer with new deals and drinks and here's what to know
Calgary is getting a new Cactus Club location & it has a large all-season patio (PHOTOS)
Absolut Vodka is turning actual Calgary neighbourhoods into AI cocktail artwork & here's what you need to know
14 of the best pet-friendly patios to hit up in Calgary
Curiocity In Your Inbox!
Want more? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive deals, stories, info & more!Subscribe Now


text:
Call in the cranes: Could plans be back on track?
ONE of the most anticipated Coffs CBD developments could be back on track with plans recently submitted to Coffs Harbour City Council.
For years the community had anticipated the cranes would be moving back in in to fulfil plans approved back in July 2017 for a multistorey hotel on top of Coffs Central shopping centre.
Consent obtained by owners Gowings Brothers Pty Ltd was for a mixed-use development including a 92-room hotel with pool and restaurant; two floors of commercial area with carparking and extended retail areas.
Prior to the 2017 approval, Gowings said the high-rise development would take about 18 months to complete and generate 150 direct jobs.
The consent was partially acted upon in 2018 with retail extensions, upper deck carparking and two office levels but then things went quiet.
In January 2018 a Gowings representative told the Coffs Coast Advocate:
"No decision has been made to proceed with the hotel at this stage which is still in a feasibility stage."
Retail expansion included Kmart, opened in March 2018 and BCU offices opening in October 2018.
In addition to Coffs Central, Gowings Brothers owns Kempsey and Port Central and Moonee Market.
Gowings are also in the process of relocating their head office from Sydney to the Coffs Central site.
RELATED: Gowings head office on the move
The company is also behind the redevelopment of the old Forestry building at the Jetty and Sawtell Commons housing development.
John Gowing has renovated a cottage at Arrawarra which he uses as a base when he's in the Coffs area.
But now, stratum subdivision plans for the Coffs Central development have been prepared by Woodman Architects and, if approved, will pave the way for the long anticipated CBD hotel.
They show the height of the development will reach close to 40 metres.
Cost estimates have not been included in the current plans but previous estimates have put it at over $20m.
Previous concept drawings show the additional levels set within the current footprint of the building to reduce any overshadowing in surrounding areas.
Current plans indicate the hotel operation will be 'managed by one of the primary four-star hotel chains'.
The Coffs Coast Advocate has contacted John Gowing for further details.


text:
The Trump administration on Monday took a new chance to bash the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's push to restrict arbitration agreements, saying the regulation will only put money in the pockets of plaintiffs lawyers.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking into whether Libre by Nexus has engaged in “unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices.”
Seniors have submitted more than 72,000 complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head Richard Cordray believed Hillary Clinton was all but set to win the 2016 presidential election, opening up an opportunity to run for the Governor of Ohio. Cordray believed if the Democrats ran the White House, his department was safe from Republican efforts to dismantle it. Show More Summary
Experts say recent disasters underscore the need for consumers to safeguard key financial papers.
Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued yet another rule that will harm consumers. A new rule on small dollar loans will kill off about 75 percent of the existing small dollar loan industry, according to the Bureau’s own figures. Show More Summary
Regulations proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would require lenders to determine whether customers can repay within 30 days before issuing a loan.
One of the major triumphs of Elizabeth Warren's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was a rule that banned the finance industry from using binding arbitration clauses to prevent defrauded customers from joining in class action suits to sue crooked banks. (more…)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new rules for payday loans and car title loans have drawn the predictable cries of outrage from lenders, particularly small storefront operators who say the restrictions will put them out of business. And it’s an understandable complaint — after spending...
Around noon Thursday, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief and subject of hot Ohio governor’s race speculation Richard Cordray dropped the Bureau’s much-anticipated short-term lending rule, which critics say could help further his political ambitions in the Buckeye state. Show More Summary
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau approved a rule that requires payday lenders and others to ensure that borrowers can afford the loans.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau approved a new rule that requires payday lenders and others to ensure that borrowers can afford the loans.
The nation’s top consumer financial watchdog on Thursday issued tough nationwide regulations on payday loans and other short-term loans, aiming to prevent lenders from taking advantage of cash-strapped Americans. The long-awaited rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would require...
A federal regulator is announcing new restrictions on the payday lending industry, a move that is likely to face resistance in Congress. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's finalized rules unveiled … Click to Continue »
The restrictions announced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau could largely eliminate an industry that churns out billions of dollars a year in high-interest loans to working-class Americans.
The Chamber of Commerce, the largest lobbying group in Washington by far has filed a lawsuit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to stop customers from filing class action lawsuits. Jose Sepulveda (@josesepulvedatv) has more.
More than a dozen U.S. banks and business groups sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Friday in a last-ditch effort to block a new rule allowing consumers to band together and sue their credit card companies and other financial institutions. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District...
More than 40% of U.S. adults struggle to make ends meet, according to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Republican leaders are whipping to secure the votes to overturn a rule CFPB finalized in July, which would protect financial companies from class-action lawsuits and deny consumers a day in court. The rule is among the most consequential actions the CFPB has taken since its founding. Show More Summary
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, founded by Elizabeth Warren prior to her career as a senator, has entered into an unprecedented settlement with National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts, the largest holder of student debt in the country. (more…)


text:
Boucherville, Quebec-based Rona announced it has signed a deal to purchase dealer-owned, wholesale distributor TruServ Canada.
“This proposed acquisition represents an important step in our strategy to accelerate the consolidation of the Canadian renovation-construction industry and is exactly in line with our objective to continually strengthen our leadership position in the distribution business, which is the roots of our company,” said Robert Dutton, president and CEO of Rona.
Winnipeg, Manitoba-based TruServ Canada has two warehousing and distribution centers—one 400,000-sq.-ft. facility in Winnipeg and one 250,000-sq.-ft. facility in Kitchener, Ontario, where it supplies more than 40,000 SKUs with another 80,000 direct-shipment options. “By serving 650 new dealers, the acquisition of TruServ Canada would provide instant geographical penetration in many Canadian communities, particularly in Ontario and Western Canada, thus creating important growth opportunities. The proposed acquisition would also diversify the network of dealer stores served by Rona by adding hardware, general merchandising and agriculture-specialized stores and would therefore increase our ability to serve small and mid-size specialized dealers across Canada,” Dutton said.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.
In related news, Rona’s announcement of its intent to purchase Don Park LP, an HVAC distributor and manufacturer based in Ontario, is “another step toward achieving Rona’s objective of establishing a national platform in the commercial and professional market,” according to a company statement released Oct. 7. This hedge against traditional DIY sales may help Rona, Canada’s largest retailer and wholesaler, expand a lot farther south than Quebec.
According to an article in the Telegraph Journal, Rona has recently hired an employee that will help it target similar market opportunities in the United States.
“We’re hoping to have an acquisition in the United States in 2011; it all depends if we identify the right series of targets and the right markets,” Michael Storfer, VP of Rona’s commercial division, told the New Brunswick newspaper.


text:
Mark Lever set out on a mission to breathe new life into the newspaper industry in Atlantic Canada when he launched the Saltwire Network this past April.
That network owns papers such as The Guardian, Journal Pioneer and Halifax Chronicle Herald.
The Saltwire Network hosted a reception in Charlottetown on Thursday night to launch the Open Up Project, designed to engage readers over the next 12 to 24 months. He wants to know what readers want to see in their newspapers.
The project will include things like small group audience interviews, exploring how people interact with content, what information and insights they need in order to be an informed citizen and why being informed matters to them.
Owning the company is a far cry from his first job teaching tennis at the Glace Bay Tennis Club in Cape Breton, N.S.
“It became a career for a while,’’ the Cape Breton native said. “I ended up being a teaching pro for a while.’’
In between his career as a tennis pro and getting into the newspaper industry Lever worked in the corporate finance world of media.
Lever feels he brings an outsiders view to the newspaper industry, one he likes to calls a consumer’s view.
“(I’m a) consumer of media rather than someone who has grown up in the business. I understand consumer and reader preferences and recognize how important all these brands are to the community they’re in. I know how important The Guardian and the Journal Pioneer are to the people of Prince Edward Island.’’
He’s humble about his role with the Saltwire Network.
“I’m just an entrepreneur who was very lucky that my wife’s family and my wife entrusted me to try and take their business to the next stage of its evolution and its future. I’m real excited as an entrepreneur and as a business person who cares about Atlantic Canada to have this opportunity to be associated with these brands that go back a long time, that mean a lot to communities.’’


text:
No late spring frost means big apple crop in Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Flagstaff area is seeing a bountiful apple harvest months after avoiding its usual late spring frost.
That means late-season bloomers such as apples are more likely to survive and produce fruit, according to the National Weather Service.
Longtime Flagstaff resident Lydia Garcia’s apple tree bore fruit for the first time in several years, the Arizona Daily Sun reported last week.
“We got so many, it’s the first time I’ve seen so many apples on that tree,” she said. “When we planted it, it was just a baby tree — about 30 or 40 years ago.”
Luke Bowman said his backyard apple tree became so “overzealous” that the branches began to break.
Martin Delgado has been giving his apples away in large batches to friends and family members. His family recently made several jars of apple jam. He said the rest keep falling as he struggles to keep up with the crop.
Other fruits had appeared in droves, too.
“We saw cherries, apples, plums, pears,” said Hattie Braun, director with the Coconino County Cooperative Extension and county master gardener program coordinator.
Plum trees at The Arboretum at Flagstaff bore fruit for the first time in recent memory, according to director Lynne Nemeth, who also attributed the growth to the lack of a late frost.
Flagstaff Foodlink, who works to ensure food access and eliminate food insecurity by providing healthy food to the community, is working to use all the apples they can. Foodlink’s Flagstaff Fruit Tree Project works to prevent falling fruit from going to waste and getting it to food pantries and people in need.
Roots Micro Farm offers to pick fruit trees in exchange for a small share of the bounty.
“It’s kind of been a main mission this fall with all the fruit on trees to try and get them all harvested and in the mouths of the community,” owner Josh Chance said.
Information from: Arizona Daily Sun, http://www.azdailysun.com/


text:
On Monday, Sprint agreed to pay the Federal Communications Commission $7.5 million to resolve violations of the Do Not Call registry—the largest settlement payout ever. The program first began in 2003 as a way to allow Americans to opt out of unsolicited sales calls.According to the FCC, Sprint will also put into effect a “robust compliance plan,” designate a new senior manager to deal with compliance, retrain its employees, and report any further noncompliance to the agency, among other necessary actions.
“We expect companies to respect the privacy of consumers who have opted out of marketing calls,” said Travis LeBlanc, acting chief of the Enforcement Bureau, in a statement. “When a consumer tells a company to stop calling or texting with promotional pitches, that request must be honored. Today’s settlement leaves no question that protecting consumer privacy is a top enforcement priority.”
In its consent decree, the FCC says it began investigating Sprint starting back in 2009. The company told the agency that an “equipment malfunction” prevented it from fully processing Do Not Call requests. Sprint reported further noncompliance in 2012, attributing it to “human error and technical malfunctions.”
"The issues related only to Do Not Call Rules," Crystal Davis, a Sprint spokeswoman, said. "We have conducted a thorough, top-to-bottom evaluation of our Do Not Call data management systems, and significant capital investments have been made to improve our Do Not Call/SMS Message architecture, oversight, and compliance."
Davis declined to answer further questions such as how many incidents were reported to federal authorities for Sprint's violations.


text:
SSB: Steinhoff not acquiring the company
May 19, 2017,
ATLANTA — Heard the rumor that Steinhoff has acquired Serta Simmons Bedding?
It’s just that — a rumor, SSB CEO Michael Traub says.
“SSB has forged a strong relationship with Steinhoff and Mattress Firm, and we are excited about our expanded strategic partnership and new products we are introducing to the market from our best-selling brands, Serta and Beautyrest,” Traub said in a statement.
“We are aware of market rumors regarding our ownership structure and want to unequivocally state that we are not engaged in acquisition discussions with Steinhoff and are not aware of any imminent plans by Advent to divest of their ownership,” he continued. “We are focused on running our business: meeting all our customer commitments and strongly supporting all our retail customers, and assuring successful new product launches.”
Traub took the unusual step of addressing the rumors given the intensity of those reports and a desire to prevent the rumors from becoming a significant distraction to the company, he said.
Most Viewed Articles
Related Content By Author
Where e-commerce and brick-and-mortar merge
High Point Videos
Designer Christi Barbour on her 'anything is possible' work philosophy


text:
Lowered Earnings Outlook, Flat Sales Cap Trans World's Third-Quarter Results13 Nov, 2001 By: Hive News
Music and video retailer Trans World Entertainment Corporation on Tuesday announced that, for its third quarter ended Nov. 3, 2001,total sales increased by 3% to $273.4 million, compared to sales of $265.6 million for the third quarter of2000. Comparable store sales in the third quarter of 2001 were down 2%.
In line with previously announced expectations, the company incurred a net lossfor the quarter of $11.6 million, or 28 cents per share, compared to a net lossof $15.6 million, or 32 cents per share, in the comparable quarter of 2000.
In the third quarter, gross profit as a percentage of sales was 32.5%, comparedto 34.5% of sales for the same period in 2000. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 36.1% of sales as compared to 34.0% in the third quarter of last year.
"Although the events of September 11 and the challenging economicenvironment have impacted our financial results, it is important to note thesignificant milestones we have achieved toward enhancing Trans World'sleadership position and ensuring the company's long-term growth andprofitability," said Robert J. Higgins, chairman and c.e.o.
"During the third quarter we launched our FYE brand and FYE.com, began the roll-out of our eWorks technology initiative and forged an important partnership with Microsoft," he said.
Higgins added, "Through our new partnership with Microsoft, FYE is creating a personalized entertainment shopping experience that will drive cross-channel sales between stores and the FYE website. In addition, throughthis partnership, FYE will create the entertainment industry's most robust andcomprehensive customer relationship management system. We expect thispartnership and the related technology initiatives to positively impact thecompany's net income beginning in the fourth quarter of 2002."
Sales for the 39-week period ended Nov. 3, 2001 increased 2% to $877.0 million, compared to $861.2 million for the same period last year.Net loss for the 39-week period was $17.7 million, or 42 cents per share compared to net income of $0.1 million in the comparable 2000 period.
Based on the current economic environment, the company said it is reducing its fourth-quarter estimated earnings per share to between 80 cents and 85 cents.
In addition to its mall locations, operated under the FYE brand, Trans World also operates freestanding locations under the namesCoconuts Music and Movies, Strawberries Music, Spec's and Planet Music.


text:
Consumer confidence has bounced back in August after two months of decline, as shoppers began to ignore ‘Brexit babble.’
The GFK Consumer Confidence Index increased by three points to -7 in August 2018. Four measures increased, and one measure stayed the same. Consumers expected both the general economic situation and their personal finances to improve over the next 12 months.
Joe Staton, client strategy director at GFK, said: “Consumers are no doubt aware of the incessant Brexit noise, the core debate about whether ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’, the accompanying threats, warnings and uncertainties, the wild hopes and dark fears, and the daily ups and downs. But are consumers putting their hands over their ears and quietly saying: let’s just wait-and-see?
“We are just months away from the Brexit crunch but there is no sign, yet, of any crash in consumer confidence. Yes, the core index continues to muddle along in negative territory, but Armageddon seems a distant prospect. With this month’s jump to -7, we have four of the constituent scores up and one unchanged. And we are well above the worrying -39 we saw in July 2008.”


text:
According to ACT Research’s latest release of the North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook, expectations for the Class 8 and trailer markets anticipate an immanent pullback in build rates, as market conditions continue to deteriorate.
“With no substantive changes to the economics underlying the outlook and data supporting our forecasts still mounting, we maintain our position that the industry should be preparing for down weeks starting as early as Q4,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “However, depending on the exact timing of the rollover, there may be some incremental high-side in our near-term outlook.”
Regarding heavy vehicle demand, Vieth noted, “Large new inventories and deteriorating freight and rate conditions suggest erring on the side of caution remains the right call: New equipment buying truckers have only recently started to come to terms with the disequilibrium in truck supply and freight demand. When the change comes, it is likely to come fast, and we reiterate what we’ve been saying in recent months: Everyone should be well into their preparations for a rapid downward correction in production levels in the next few months.”
Regarding ACT’s medium-duty forecasts, Vieth said, “As has been the case for most of the year, retail sales continue to behave almost as if they were scripted. Additionally, production in July exceeded expectations, and by a significant amount. At least one OEM has made the decision to align its model year changeover with the broader industry, while production cutbacks are beginning to become public.”


text:
“We consider Indonesia a dynamic and promising market and one of the growth engines to achieve our long-term vision,” Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, The
This incremental investment builds on the $1.2 billion the Coca-Cola system has invested in Indonesia in the last 25 years. The global nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverage category is expected to grow in retail value by approximately $300 billion between now and 2020. With more than 240 million people, Indonesia boasts the world’s fourth-largest population and a large, emerging middle class.
See more photos of the plant here, and learn more about the announcement here.
More on Journey
- View our 2016 Sustainability Report
- Download our 2016 Sustainability Report (PDF)
- Subscribe to The Circular sustainability newsletter
- Video: 2016 Sustainability Highlights
‘I’m Not Just Looking Back… I’m Looking Ahead’: New
Coca-ColaArchivist Justine Fletcher Says Company’s Rich History Informs Its Future


text:
Troubled low cost home-goods retailer Tuesday Morning Corp. will shut greater than half its places nationwide after submitting for Chapter 11 chapter safety for the second time in three years.
The firm filed for chapter on Feb. 14, with Chief Executive Andrew Berger citing “exceedingly burdensome debt.” The firm mentioned it has secured a $51.5 million debtor-in-possession dedication from Invictus Global Management.
“We have determined that the best path to reorganizing and transforming the company begins with a Chapter 11 filing,” Berger mentioned in an announcement. “Fortunately, we have the support of a committed capital provider in Invictus and a clear vision for transforming into a focused retailer that serves its core, heritage markets in a profitable manner.”
Also see: Walmart, Target, Costco earnings on deck: retail giants face robust vacation season comparability
Tuesday Morning mentioned it at the moment operates 487 shops in 40 states, and it employed about 1,600 full-time and 4,700 part-time employees in response to its most up-to-date 10-Ok submitting.
The firm mentioned the 263 shops focused for closure are largely in “low-traffic regions.”
“The company believes this targeted approach to winding down unprofitable and underperforming stores will position Tuesday Morning to emerge from bankruptcy with a profitable, cash-generating store fleet that serves its most engaged and loyal customers,” Tuesday morning mentioned in an announcement.
The Dallas-based retailer beforehand filed for Chapter 11 in May 2020, within the early days of the pandemic, and closed greater than 200 of its shops then.
In November, Tuesday Morning introduced a 1-for-30 reverse inventory cut up and changed its CEO, chief working officer and chief service provider, and in December, the corporate mentioned it deliberate to delist its shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market because it plans to show personal by September.
Tuesday Morning shares
have collapsed over the previous 12 months, falling 99%, and have sunk 36% 12 months thus far.
Source web site: www.marketwatch.com


text: That's because fraud can actually be a source of income, thanks to charge-back fees for fraudulent purchases, and the fact that it's the retailer who often assumes the cost of improperly bought items. And so the embedded-chip system used in much of Europe and Asia has not been adopted by US firms, who argue that retailers don't want to invest heavily in upgrading their card readers. Technology to encrypt data as it flows across the payment system has also been shunned by most firms. "Unfortunately, some companies look at breaches as the cost of doing business,” says the chief information of Heartland Payment Systems, which overhauled its systems after a massive breach in 2008. “That’s not the right way to look at it. You need to be as secure as you possibly can be."


text:
Broadpeak’s multicast ABR technology should improve streaming quality and reliability, reduce content delivery costs and energy consumption
BT Group has teamed up with Broadpeak, the content delivery network (CDN) which provides video streaming solutions to content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide. BT will combine its own Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD) with Broadpeak’s nanoCDN multicast adaptive bitrate (mABR).
MAUD’s architecture takes mABR a step further by integrating it with content providers’ player applications so customers’ apps require no modification. The nanoCDN tech will be integrated into BT Group’s consumer smart hub routers so that individual streams can be grouped in the network core – multicast – before they are converted back to unicast at the edge for consumption by end-users’ applications on devices.
This approach means MAUD uses up to 50% less bandwidth during peak events, reducing energy consumption as fewer caches are needed. Simultaneously, more efficient delivery of live video also means broadcasters and video service providers give customers a better quality of experience.
The operator expects “a number of major broadcasters and content companies are expected to trial this breakthrough solution in 2024”.
As seen on TV
BT announced MAUD in January, which it hailed as a breakthrough in TV technology which will be key to broadcasters being able to meet demand for live content.
Howard Watson, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT Group, commented, “As more live events move online – or to online only – we are seeing a big increase in traffic. MAUD is a revolutionary development in how live video is delivered over the internet. It will improve video streaming experiences for viewers, delivering a more reliable, consistent picture and increases content delivery efficiency for broadcasters and video service providers.”
Jacques Le Mancq, CEO of Broadpeak, noted, “We are very excited to support BT Group with the launch of such an impressive live video streaming initiative. MAUD answers the critical requirements for enhanced video quality, simpler content delivery, and increased sustainability, making it a game changer for broadcasters and video service providers.”


text:
Marketing faculty coauthor one of the most downloaded articles in 2009 from the Journal of Global Marketing
News + Events : Marketing faculty coauthor one of the most downloaded articles in 2009 from the Journal of Global Marketing
Among the top five most downloaded articles in 2009 from the Journal of Global Marketing was Celebrity Endorsements in Advertisements and Consumer Perceptions: A Cross-Cultural Study, an article co-written by Professor of Marketing Kathleen O'Donnell, Associate Professor of Marketing Mahmood Hussain, and alum Somdutta Biswas (MBA '05).
The authors studied consumer perceptions of celebrity endorsements from a cross-cultural perspective. Findings indicated that specific differences and similarities exist in how consumers across India and the United States perceive celebrity endorsements. There is a positive, although moderate, impact of celebrity endorsements on attention and exposure of consumers. Implications for marketers as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
To read the article for free, see http://www.informaworld.com/10.1080/08911760902765940.